Who killed Chidi Nwosu? The tragedy that struck the sleepy Ameke Abam Community in Arochukwu local government area of Abia State On December 29, 2010, when one of its prominent sons and a foremost civil rights activist, Comrade Chidi Nwosu, was killed in cold blood in his house has sparked violent demonstrations in the village.
This followed allegations that his uncle hired the killers.
A family source told Elombah.com that the youths and women of his village has been engaging on demonstration since then, and burnt the uncle's house; So far, two young men accused of the murder has been arrested by the rampaging youths and handed over to the police.
Sources from Chidi's family confirmed to Elombah.com that the gunmen trailed Chidi Nwosu to his village in Abia state. They locked his wife, his 5 year-old daughter, the mother-in-law and the cousin in the toilet; they tortured him, splashing his blood on the walls of the residence where his family resides. Then they murdered him execution-style, with a gunshot straight to the temple within earshot of his wife and daughter! The killers then dragged his lifeless body from room to room as they jeered, tracking his blood all over the place in the process.
Since his death, the entire village is in chaos and grief. According to a family source, "If tears will bring Chidi back, the tears of the entire village will bring him back".
What remains intriguing till date is: Who killed Chidi Nwosu? The solution to this query has so far remained a mystery.
Mr MM Abbas, the Police AIG Zone 9, covering South-Eastern Nigeria told Elombah.com that the Police are doing their best to catch the killers. But so far what has emerged is a complex maze where accusing fingers are pointed in all direction to: Ex-Governor, Abia State, Orji Uzo Kalu - with whom Chidi had a long-running battle, current Governor, Mr T.A Orji, Former PDP Chairman, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor and Chidi's uncle.
Because of Chidi's status as an anti-corruption crusader - he had been a vocal critic of the past governor of the state, Chief Orji Kalu, and Current Governor, T.A Orji, with whom he had a long-running battle, up until 5 months ago. Chidi fought fervently in the courts against the sale of Abia Rubber plantation by the Abia government, a case which he won. The company was subsequently recovered by Governor Theodore Orji who made Chidi the general manager".
Chidi had in a Press Release dated May 6, 2009, titled, 'Threat to kill Nwosu…Hold Governor Orji responsible, said:
"Our attention has been drawn to threats by Chief T.A. Orji, Executive Governor, Abia State Government to assassinate Comrade Chidi Nwosu, President, Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation [HRJPF].
It is no secret that since Nigeria returned to civil rule;
Nwosu has been a strong critic of the Abia State Government, which has been run under the dark. Although Nwosu has proved beyond all reasonable doubts that his criticisms of the state government has been engendered by an indelible love to bring the best out of the managers of the state, officials of the state government and their agents have labelled him an enemy of the state that must be eliminated at all costs.
"Last weekend, Nwosu whose organization has his men everywhere raised alarm over plots by Governor Orji's administration to Islamize Abia State by building 17 mosques in each of the local government areas. It should be recalled that sometime in 2007, the Centre for Human Empowerment, Advancement and Development [CHEAD] in a similar manner drew the attention of the general public to the unlawful harassment of women wearing trousers in the state, which clearly was Governor Orji subtle way of testing the ground for his proposed plot to Islamize the state.
"But in a swift reaction to the allegation, Governor Orji threatened to "handle Chidi Nwosu", which has been interpreted by all and sundry to mean, eliminating the human rights activist. A member of the dreaded Bakassi boys who has sympathy for Nwosu told us in confidence to warn him to "be careful" because they have been detailed to kill him to avoid further embarrassment from his group"
However, Elombah.com investigations confirmed Governor Theodore Orji late last year called him back from Abuja, asked Chidi "to come and work with him to develop Abia State", and quietly appointed him DG/MD of Abia Plantations .
Nevertheless, some have expressed surprise as to "why Theodore is quiet when his appointee was killed like a fowl and nothing is said".
Another suspect is Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, recently deposed chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He is also from Umuahia. Chidi brought some high-profile corruption petitions, and a court case, against Ogbulafor. When President Jonathan decided to get rid of Ogbulafor, Chidi's previous work on the matter was instrumental.
The final suspect in the list is Chidi's uncle, Mr Nze Nwosu, with possible support from the Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Mr Agwu U. Agwu.
Family sources confided to Elombah.com that Chidi has a problem in the family (with the uncle). According to the sources, the uncle is a powerful politician; he is also an in-law to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly.
The uncle appropriated some portions of the Abia Plantation to himself, but we were told Chidi was not keen on taking the appropriated plantation from him. The said Chidi's uncle is an in-law to the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and since Chidi's death and the ensuing mayhem in the village, the Speaker has been throwing his weight around, intimidating, harassing and using to Police to arrest the villagers.
Since the murder of Chidi, , the Speaker of Abia HOA, who is from a neighbouring village has also been accused of making some inciting statements and arresting the rampaging youths.
When Chidi started the new job, he called everyone, the whole village together. Despite the presence of the rubber plantation in their village, and the money always dedicated to the villagers from the plantation, the place remained undeveloped. Chidi told the villagers that henceforth, Money for the village, will be used for the development of the village. He plans to set up a panel to look after the money.
Governor Theodore Orji, Chidi's uncle and the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly are believed to be from same political party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chidi Nwosu, anti-corruption crusader and critic of Gov. Theodore Orji is from NCP
Chidi was warned to be careful, but he refused to move with security. He said he ate nobody's money, offended no one. When Chidi came back to Abia in November/December, he was staying in a hotel in Umuahia and was planning to look for a house this January.
Four accused persons is said to have been arrested, but Chidi's uncle is still at large
A family source told Elombah.com: "I was there, some people were planning to avenge, on the two arrested suspects... one of the suspects fingered Chidi's uncle, but the uncle remains at large. Strong suspicion is on the Uncle, He might have felt threatened by Chidi's activities. He was said to have warned Chidi's father about Chidi's efforts to revamp the plantation. But no one really knows"
The relation also said: I know Chidi Belongs to NCP, he is not even a member of the PDP, so he did not abandon his human rights activities.
A friend who last saw Chidi on 22 December 2010, -Chidi died on 29 – told Elombah.com that Chidi's wife has gone into hiding; "amaeke village is very hot now, burning houses", he added. The friend continued: "Chidi may have made a lot of enemies because of his human rights activities and efforts to revamp the plantation. All his friends are cautious...everyone is afraid...please don't use my name in your reports".
He continued: We were together on 22/12/2010 at Umuahia with my wife and his wife; we drank and ate pepper-soup together. We've been very close friends since 1999. From the time he married his first wife, birth of their first daughter to the death of that child, and later the death of his former wife Doris in 2001. Then later to the marriage of his present wife Amaka Chidi Nwosu and the birth of their only daughter Ijeoma Chidi Nwosu. We hang out together in Aba and Abuja. When I'm not in a hotel in Abuja, I'm in his house, Now Chidi is no more, his blood cries for justice!"
Benedict, General Coordinator of, 'Coalition of Eastern Human Rights Activists', told Elombah.com that the coalition is working with the Police to unravel the killers.
"We had a meeting on Saturday...then we travelled to Umuahia on Monday...we met the wife and family....also met the Eze Arochukwu and the Commissioner of Police in Abia State. We expressed our concern at the harassment and mass arrest of Amaeke villagers....we will meet again on Wednesday to fix the funeral date..."
Benedict told Elombah.com that Chidi's death is a very sad development. "Killing one of the very few human rights activist in the South-East zone"
Yesterday 'Nigerians in Diaspora - Justice for Chidi Nwosu', a body of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria issued a Press release on the death of Chidi Nwosu, General Manager, Abia Rubber Company Ltd, Abia State, condemning the murder and asked the Nigeria Inspector-General of Police to find his killers.
In the statement signed by Johnson Obayuwana, Ogonna Anyabolu, Dominic Ogbonna, Gregg Ukaegbu, Vincent Otuonye, Robert Amadiebube, Chinedu V Akuta, Eddy Ebulem, Daniel Elombah, Cornelius Akubueze, Peter Opara, Ibukunolu Alao Babajide, Collins Ezebuihe, Andy Fayemi, Bonaventure Ezekwena, Stanley Odera and Ifeoluwa Adebayo, they said:
"Chidi was a Human Rights Activist, Patriot, Husband, and Father assassinated in his home town of Arochukwu, Abia State, on December 29 2010. After forcing his wife and child into their bathroom, his killers shot him at close range. They dragged his lifeless body from room to room, and they jeered as they drained his blood.
"Although he was murdered at the tender age of 39, Chidi Nwosu devoted himself to ensuring that the government of Abia State operated transparently, efficiently, and effectively. He fought against waste, fraud, and abuse. He fought to protect the human and constitutional rights of all Nigerian citizens.
"Nigeria today is awash with many unsolved crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery. The life of an average Nigerian citizen is no longer sacred or protected. It would not be an exaggeration to say that an average person residing within the Nigerian nation-space today has a near 50% chance, on any given day, of living or dying! 
"For how long can we continue like this? What does the future hold for our children if we continue to tolerate this level of insecurity? Chidi Nwosu did his part to protest injustice and incompetent leadership. As citizens, we too must do our part.
"We are asking the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this heinous crime against a promising young man, and to prosecute those who were involved. Fighting for the welfare and rights of our fellow compatriots is a worthwhile ideal. We must celebrate our fallen heroes, and we must encourage our youth to follow the same path. Above all, we believe that the best way to show appreciation for those who put their lives at risk for our nation is to ensure that they never die in vain.
"This group will dedicate a website to Chidi Nwosu's memory and life's work. We will raise funds for his widow, and for the five-year old daughter who has now been rendered fatherless.
"We enjoin all Nigerian citizens to donate generously. The fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by people residing in advanced democracies are also enshrined in our own Nigerian Constitution. All we need is enforcement. Like Chidi Nwosu, we must all fight to enforce these rights at all times, because the price of freedom is always eternal vigilance".
Benjamin Aduba, a member of the group told elombah.com: "our duty at this point is to find out, to continue to seek the truth and the punishment of this heinous crime. Nothing could ever justify killing a man in front of his wife and child. It does not justify killing him even in the absence of his family".
On his part Dominic Ogbonna said: "I am pissed that anybody would shoot a 39-year old promising young man within earshot of his spouse and 5-year old daughter! That's just horrible. A promising young man was wasted, and in the most gruesome way possible. Whether the murderer is his father, his mother, his enemy, or someone he has never ever met before, I think the least that can be done is ask for is to bring that person to justice. That's all we are asking for".
IF YOU WANT TO DONATE TO the Chidi Nwosu Memorial Fund. you can now do so in either of 4 ways:
(a.) Using PAYPAL:
If you already have a PAYPAL account, to redeem your pledge, please click on the link below, and follow the instructions.
http://donations.wazobianpools.com/chidi.nwosu?Cmd=Donate¤cyTYPE=USD
(b.) Using a CREDIT CARD:
If you have a credit card, but not a regular PAYPAL account, you can easily redeem your pledge by clicking the link below, and following the instructions.
http://donations.wazobianpools.com/chidi.nwosu?Cmd=Donate¤cyTYPE=USD
(c.) Using BANK-TO-BANK TRANSFER:
You can redeem your pledge by transfering money directly from your bank account to the Chidi Nwosu Memorial Fund. The destination Bank Account information is as follows:
(i.) If you reside outside Nigeria
Recipient: Greg Ukaegbu:
Bank: Wachovia/Wells Fargo
Account #: 1010303204495
Routing #: 055003201
Phone: +1-410-868-5828
(i.) If you reside in Nigeria
Recipient: CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY
Bank: UBA
Account #: 0295-031-000006-2
Co-coordinator: Mr. Solomon Sobade
Phone #: 0803-250-2103, 0802-353-7519
(d.) CHEQUES & MONEY ORDERS
Finally, you can redeem your pledge by sending a cheque , or money order, to any of the following individuals, depending on where you reside.
(i.) IF YOU RESIDE IN NORTH AMERICA
Mr. Gregg E. Ukaegbu
8355 Montgomery Run Road
Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
USA
Phone: +1-410-868-5828
(ii.)IF YOU RESIDE IN EUROPE
Dr. Daniel Elombah
JE Stevenson Law Firm
Regent House
24-25 Nutford Place
London W1H 5YN
UNITED KINGDOM
Phone: +44-0-7958588018
To view the status of your donation, or see how our fund-raising effort is doing so far, please visithttp://donations.wazobianpools.com/chidi.nwosu at any time.
Thank you again for donating to the Chidi Nwosu Memorial Fund, and may the good Lord bless you and your family in this new year.
THE CHIDI NWOSU MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
http://www.chidinwosufoundation.com
Daniel Elombah
Publisher: www.elombah.com
+44-7958588018
No comments:
Post a Comment